Thome joins White Sox front office

CHICAGO- The Chicago White Sox announced Tuesday that former designated hitter Jim Thome has joined the franchise as a special assistant to general manager Rick Hahn.

Thome spent parts of four seasons with the White Sox, hitting 134 home runs and driving in 369 runs.

He will consult with Hahn and assistant general manager Buddy Bell while working with the White Sox and their minor league affiliates.

Thome's 612 homers over his 22-year career are seventh in major-league history. He also had 1,699 RBIs.

He was a member of two pennant-winning teams in Cleveland (1995, 1997) and his solo home run was the only run in the White Sox's 1-0 win over Minnesota in a one-game playoff for the 2008 American League Central division title.